As the newly appointed County Junior Organiser for the Yorkshire Ladies County Golf Association, I am delighted to share how the Taskers Trophy funding will help us grow junior girls golf across Yorkshire. This support will play a vital role in increasing girls participation in golf by helping us introduce the sport at an earlier age and by creating a positive, welcoming pathway into junior golf.
This funding will contribute directly to structured coaching sessions, skill development activities and access to appropriate training resources. These elements allow young players to build confidence, improve their technique and develop lasting enjoyment of the game. Our aim is simple: to open more doors, reduce barriers and ensure every girl has the opportunity to discover what golf can offer both recreationally and competitively.
How We Plan to Use the Funding
We have developed a clear and detailed plan to ensure that every pound is used to support junior golf in meaningful ways. Funding will be used to:
- Strengthen the junior girls training programme by providing structured training sessions, skills and confidence building.
- Improve communication at club level by travelling to meet with club junior coordinators and meeting girls in a venue where they are comfortable and confident before embarking onto the Yorkshire Pathway. This includes supporting introductory sessions aimed at increasing participation.
- Hold assessment days where the girls can meet with others and develop friendships through participation in golf.
- Help ensure access to appropriate junior equipment, training aids and learning materials, so girls can participate comfortably regardless of background or experience. We are in need of new first aid kits as materials in our current kits are outdated.
- Provide player development opportunities that contribute to practice facilities, competition preparation and development pathways which help young golfers progress at recreational and competitive levels.
- Reduce financial barriers so more girls can access training opportunities and experience the physical, social and personal benefits of golf.
We estimate that around 40 juniors will directly benefit from this funding, particularly new players, novices and handicapped players. Our focus is Girls Golf, and we intend to grow participation at every stage.
What Success Looks Like
We have specific measurable outcomes that will help us track the impact of this support:
- Increased participation reflected by our First Steps programme being full and requiring a third hub.
- A rise in entries for novice and non-handicap competitions. We currently see between 1 and 5 girls entering, and with our new initiatives, we aim to double this.
- An improvement in handicaps with all girls reducing their handicap by at least two shots.
Regular review points across the season will help us ensure progress is being made and that no girl is missed.
Timeline for Delivery
Our plan includes clear timeframes:
- February to April 2026: Girls in training enter competitions.
- February and March 2026: Club visits and invitations to First Steps.
- June and July 2026: Assessment Days to identify players ready for the Yorkshire Pathway.
- Ongoing: Regular handicap reviews and progress tracking throughout the playing season.
How This Fits Within Our Junior Development Pathway
This funding supports our Junior Golf Pathway Programme, which begins with First Steps and moves onto our main pathway structure: two Aspire groups, three Performance groups and an Elite group. Girls begin in Aspire and, as progress is made, move through Performance and eventually into the Elite group. The funding strengthens this pathway by creating more accessible entry points and better support throughout progression.
We are absolutely committed to giving girls across Yorkshire every opportunity to take part, build skills, make friends and develop a love of golf that lasts a lifetime. The Taskers Trophy funding helps make that possible, and we are truly grateful.
If you would like to follow our journey or support our junior programmes, stay connected with the Yorkshire Ladies County Golf Association. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more inclusive future for girls golf.
Annette Jackson - CJO - Yorkshire Ladies County Golf Association
